====== What is Learning ======

===== Definitions of Learning =====

There is **no single accepted definition of learning**, since it depends on one's point of view or a //learning paradigm//. Most commonly accepted **[[learning_paradigms|learning paradigms]]** suggest learning is:

  * a visible change in one's behavior which can be measured((See: [[learning_paradigms:Behaviorism]].))
  * the active process of acquisition (including insight, information processing, memory, perception) of new knowledge and developing adequate mental constructions((See: [[learning_paradigms:Cognitivism]].))
  * a natural desire of human beings, a mean of self-actualization and developing personal potentials((See: [[learning_paradigms:Humanism]].))
  * an active, socially enhanced process of knowledge construction based on one's own subjective interpretation of the objective reality((See: [[learning_paradigms: Constructivism]].))
  * the process of connecting to information sources containing actionable knowledge and maintaining those connections((See: [[learning_paradigms: Connectivism]].))

Some **other definitions** of learning we found useful are listed here:

  * "//acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information.//"(([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning|Wikipedia: Learning. Retrieved September 6th, 2011. Updated August 11th, 2011.]]))
  * "//the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something: the activity of someone who learns.//"(([[http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/learning|Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary: Learning.]] Retrieved September 6th, 2011.))
  * "//all relatively permanent changes in potential for behavior that result from experience but are not due to fatigue, maturation, drugs, injury, or disease.//"(([[http://books.google.hr/books?id=u1gtAAAACAAJ|Lefrancois, G. R. Theories of Human Learning: What the Old Man Said. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning. 2000.]]))
  * "//a relatively permanent change in mental associations due to experience.//" (([[http://books.google.com/books?id=A6UhKQEACAAJ|Ormrod, J.E. Human learning (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1999.]]))